I'llGo

verse 1 N.C. Not tonight of any night said the Coxwain of the crew The chances of survival on a night like this are few December 1940 on the coast of Donegal Came a great north wind That could have been the cruellest of them all 14 men were missing 18 more in great destress Jack Boyle knew that their future in his hands had come to rest He knew a man who knew the sea if any man would know We’ll show the way without delay O’Donnell said I’ll go Chorus I’ll go and do the best I can I’ll do what must be done I’ll go cause I’m a lifeboat man I am my father’s son I’ll go and do the best I can I’ll do what must be done I’ll go cause I’m an island man I am my father’s son verse 2 The neighbours watch them gather and they cast a worried eye And wondered how that lifeboat crew could possible survive They all agree that some at least the greatest price would pay And old the men shed a tear and knelt down on the ground to pray While standin on the pier with his handpicked squad of men Jack told each of one that they might never see their homes again And he told that there would be no shame if this time they said no Each traced a cross upon his brow, stepped up and said I’ll go Chorus I’ll go and do the best I can I’ll do what must be done I’ll go cause I’m a lifeboat man I am my father’s son I’ll go and do the best I can I’ll do what must be done I’ll go cause I’m an island man I am my father’s son verse 3 Against the storm against the gale against the mighty waves Those men were rightly honoured as the bravest of the brave And let everyone salute them and thank god for men like these Who would risk their lives for strangers in peril on the seas O’Donnell, Ward and Gallagher remember these names well With the Boyles, Byrne’s and Rodgers they faced the seas from hell With the waves above them crashing down and a heaving mass below God bless them everyone who made the vow to say I’ll go Chorus I’ll go and do the best I can I’ll do what must be done I’ll go cause I’m a lifeboat man I am my father’s son I’ll go and do the best I can I’ll do what must be done I’ll go cause I’m an island man I am my father’s son verse 4 Now this volunteer lifeboat crew Illion Arranmore They faced the biggest storm that they had ever seen before But they brought them 18 sailors home and left them on the land Now their safe & well and home again by the grace of god’s own hand Now the spirits soar above the waves they earned eternal rest Surely if there’s justice they are seated with the best I’d like to think in that last hour god whispered soft and low And welcomed home the eight brave men who made the vow to go Chorus I’ll go and do the best I can I’ll do what must be done I’ll go cause I’m an island man I am my father’s son I’ll go and do the best I can I’ll do what must be done I’ll go cause I’m from Arranmore I am my father’s son